about
Published three times a year, [proof] is Palo Alto High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fine arts magazine. Our production strives to
cover all aspects and mediums of art, featuring student talents in addition to local and national artists. Our mission is to showcase student artwork, local events and educate others in the arts, promoting creative thinking in
the minds of our readers.
from the editors
Hello, readers! As the new editors-in-chief of [proof] magazine, we welcome you to our fall issue. After extensive
renovations, we are proud to present a new and minimalistic design for [proof] as well as improvements to our
fonts and gallery. This school year [proof] has a record-breaking number of staff writers, and we look forward
to publishing three issues for the very first time. This issue we diverged from our typical photography-based
articles to cover a broad range of art media, including makeup and fashion. In the following pages, immerse
yourself in art festivals, the architecture of Beijing, the streets of Castro and page through the gallery to see
student-submitted work. We hope you enjoy our magazine and look forward to next semester.

contact
Submit all artwork to proof.paly@gmail.com to be featured in our next issue. Our past issues can be found
at http://issuu.com/proofpaly. We can also be reached by mail at 50 Embarcadero Rd, Palo Alto, CA.

San Francisco, recognized as the
world’s “gay capital”, has created an incredible path for LGBT civil rights. After
the Stonewall Riot in 1968, a police raid
that disturbed the peace in a New York
City gay club, citizens in San Francisco
organized parades, coming together
proudly as a community.
In 1970, citizens organized a Gay Pride
Parade, marching down Polk Street.
Soon after, a gay-in was established
in the Golden Gate Park. In the 1960’s
and the 1970’s, after lots of people
who identified as gay moved in, The
Castro was established as a Gay neighborhood.
The infamous rainbow flag was created by Gilbert
Baker, a San Francisco artist. Baker sought to represent the whole of the community through the 5-various strips of color.
Another large part of the gay community is AIDS; in
Castro, there are a few clinics designed to help those
diagnosed with AIDS. Since refuted, AIDS was recognized before as a “gay disease,” due to the large gay
community that was affected.
On a wall, people of the gay community have chosen
to create a memorial to a community lost to AIDS. In
June, however, this was dedicated to the gay community that lost their lives during the shooting at Pulse
nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
Today, the Castro is still a very gay neighborhood,
which can be seen from the community, the shops,
and memorials. On the floor, one can
see the Rainbow Honor Walk, golden
plates commemorating the lives of
gay artists and activists such as Oscar
Wilde and Keith Haring.
It is impossible not to spot Castro
from afar. Dotted with rainbow flags
on shops, sidewalk crossings, and elevators, it provides a safe place for
people of different sexualities. In the
photographs, the flag, the AIDS revolution, the memorials, and the attacks
that the gay community face are all
represented. The Castro is a vibrant
community – a home to activism, and
an artists’ corner.
photography by leah benque

the castro

10

anne & markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
ar t par ty

Flames fly hundreds of miles per
hour near huge crowds of people,
their red and orange sparks glowing against the black sky. I was
surrounded by men and women
cheering on the night of September 24 at a local art fair called Anne
and Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Art Party.

11

lifestyle

athena demarzo

Anne and Mark’s Art Party was an
all-night festival filled with exciting
fun that lasted from 7 p.m. until
2 a.m. without a single dull moment. Around me were couples
in matching cheetah print outfits,
shirtless women dancing in huge
skirts with bells and fire dancers.
I got the sense that in the “real”
world, they would be considered
outcasts, but here, together, they
were right at home. The art ranged
from these dancers to ridiculously
decorated cars. The live music
blasting through the crowd was
nothing like the typical silent gallery I was used to.
Outside, street painters brought a wall
to life with bright paint and vibrant colors. Watching the process was fascinating ­­— one of my favorite parts of the
whole night.
I had a blast; all the costumes and dancing gave a blissful and carefree mood
to the whole night. This event was without a doubt worth the ticket price and
my time. I would definitely recommend
it to anyone who is open to new experiences and whoever wants to do something fun outs11ide of how you usually
spend your Saturday night.
photography by athena demarzo

anne and mark’s art party

12

concerts in the modern era

deepali sastry & sydney bader

The stage is set and the artist stands poised with a guitar. The microphone stand is unmoving and waiting to
echo the singerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sentiments.
Concerts used to be a simple spectacle. The singer might stand in the center behind the mic, possibly gripping
a guitar or seated at a piano. A few backup singers might stand in the back to emphasize the lyrics. As time has
progressed, concerts have evolved along with it. People are paying more and more to see their idols take over
the stage. According to Princeton University economics professor Alan Krueger, the average price concert ticket
in 2001 was $40, with the most expensive being around $60.
In the 1950s, concerts were all about the music; there were no lights, props, fog or explosions. The performing
music business changed dramatically when singer Mick Jagger brought all those variables to the stage. Spotlights highlight the artist and his band, while confetti rains from the ceiling as the concert concludes. At Drakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
concert, we found that he used light and color to form interesting shapes that filled the screens behind him. At
one point, he was on a platform that elevated him, helping him to fill the shoes of past idols, while at the same
time, he was brought closer to the fans that worship him and his poetic rap. After talking to family friends and
their older relatives, we found that since concerts were not always the complex productions they are today, artists seemed to work almost twice as hard to put on a production with as much soul. While concerts today are
filled with excess lights, the downside can be that the artists rely on the grand scale to make a good concert.
However, the lavishness makes for good pictures!
13 lifestyle

photography by deepali sastry & sydney bader

concerts in the modern era

14

the art
of
makeup
elizabeth rauner- swan
Throughout history, women have used makeup to
express themselves, enhance their appearance or
just for fun. Some poeple may not think of makeup as a form of art, but it is absolutely a form of artistic expression. What sets it apart is the personal
feeling of creating art on oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own face and the
ability wash it off and create a new look each day.
With inspiration from the latest fashion icons,
movie stars and their talented makeup artists, the
way people apply their makeup changes throughout the decades. These trends in makeup clearly
express the fashion trends and culture of that
time period and can become an iconic symbol of
that era. Two memorable times in makeup history
are the 1950s and 1960s has its own identity, with
inspiration coming from the most iconic figures in
fashion and cinema.
The 1960s were a time rebellion against social
constraints, which was even mirrored in the makeup trends of that decade. Lesley Hornby, one of
the biggest supermodels and fashion icons of the
1960s, wore a unique and modern style of makeup
that became her signature look. Her face was kept
very natural with minimal makeup, but her eyes
were accentuated with dark eyeliner on her lash
line and a thin line drawn above the crease of her
eye. For a more dramatic look, false lashes were
added on the top and bottom of the eye.

15

lifestyle

The 1950s are a time mostly associated with Hollywood glamor, with stars like Marilyn Monroe creating the
ideal look for women. Marilyn Monroeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s makeup artist Allan Snyder painted bright red lipstick on her lips and
defined her eyes with eyeliner, false eyelashes and eyeshadow aimed at creating depth and definition.

makeup

16

beijing: city of change
emma cockerell

Beijing is a thriving city with a rich culture and
thousands of years of history. Though many
new buildings and structures are being constructed because of the high demand that a
quickly increasing population presents, several monuments that remain that testify to
the immense power and rapid technological
advancement of past civilizations. Within Beijing lie many sprawling parks that were built
as g spots for previous emperors — washes
of color in an increasingly gray and polluted
concrete jungle.
Another famous tourist attraction is Wangfujing, which in English translates to “Emperor’s
Mansion.” The street contains large department stores that tower over mazes of small
stalls that sell a plethora of souvenirs and trinkets. Wangfujing is steeped in rich history, and
has been a center of commercial activity since
the middle of the Ming Dynasty, evolving over
time to meet the needs of local merchants
and tourists alike.
Most photographs of Beijing depict a beautiful blue-skied city full of historical architecture
and towering skyscrapers. The media often
presents photos of a technologically advanced
city with a thriving economy. While this may be
true of some areas of Beijing, the majority of

17

lifestyle

the city, which few foreigners see, experiences poor living conditions and even worse environmental problems. A big percentage of photos of Beijing are taken at night, when the pollution is not as visible and night
lights present an image of a thriving, dynamic city. Rarely is Beijing depicted accurately in photographs.
The area where my grandparents live, which, like Palo Alto, has high-demand housing because of the local schools, suffers from poor living conditions. A day spent walking through Beijing can render shoes and
clothes filthy and covered in dust. Stray dogs roam the streets, and their barks of hunger can be heard late
into the night. Stickers and stamps advertising companies’ services cover the streets and walls, and even
inside the halls of apartment buildings. Streets often reek of cigarette smoke.
One of the biggest problems in Beijing is pollution, which on some days can obscure objects just a few feet
away. This is one of the main causes of the city’s filth and uncleanliness, and also causes health problems.
Most people are aware of Beijing’s severe pollution, but it is not often photographed, so when most people
think of Beijing, they see the photoshopped pictures of monuments that have been sanitized and skies that
have been rendered azure.
Both good and bad things can be said about Beijing, which in some areas exhibits ostentatious beauty, but
in others betray extreme poverty. There is no doubt that Beijing will continue to thrive and prosper in the
coming years with its booming economy, but that will come at a cost.

beijing

18

the art of love, compassion, and unity
kristina im & nura mostaghimi
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Camp Unity is a three day leadership
program, focusing on issues of equity,
diversity, and identity; we dive deeply
into the issues that divide us from each
other, both personally and as a society.
It offers the opportunity to form new
friendships across the dividing lines
and to recognize our similarities.â&#x20AC;?
â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Ms. Burton, Living Skills teacher

As I stepped off the yellow school
bus, I felt the chilly mountain air
on my skin, and as I grabbed my
luggage I was unsure what the
two days would bring. Little did
I know by coming there I would
become more in touch with my
emotions. There were moments
of sadness, but more of love, and
by the time the trip ended, our
experience was all I could talk of.

19 lifestyle

Sophomores Kenzo Morabia and Rachel Loewy
were interviewed about their Camp Unity experience.
Q: Describe Camp Unity in 3 words.
K.M.: Mind-opening, passion, unifying.
R.L.: Emotional, enlightening, self-reflecting.
Q: How did Camp change your view on the
way you see people?
K.M.: It is harder to hate someone when you
know their story” is a quote that Mr. Hall said
at Camp. I definitely will not be making the stereotypical jokes I used to make anymore because they have more meaning behind them.
It makes you aware of the variety of people
there are around us.
R.L.: This [change] was accomplished by activities that forced us to look through the minds
of other people and step in their shoes. I also
developed relationships with people I might
not have gotten to know under different circumstances and I’m glad that these relationships have continued to thrive at school.
Q: What was your most memorable experience?
K.M.: My most memorable experience was
definitely the activity that we did that focused
on stereotypes. It opened my eyes to how
people may see who I am as well as how others think of their peers. [Acknowledging Racial
Stereotypes]
R.L.: My most memorable experience at
Camp Unity was the day we acknowledged
gender stereotypes. During an activity, we
learned that gender stereotypes affect everyone drastically and although we, as a society
have made progress in gender equality, we
still have a far way to go [Acknowledging Gender Stereotypes].

Tips for Camp Unity
1. Be aware of the way you word things
2. Don’t be afraid to be honest
3. Talk to people who you don’t normally hang
out with
4. Participate and speak your opinion
5. Keep an open mind

Photography by David Cohen, Kristina Im,
and Nura Mostaghimi

camp unity 20

[fine arts]

photography by yi ge

tina su
flora yu

Using simplistic lines and pastel shades, high
school artist Tina Su creates charming illustrations of figures in everyday settings. She aspires
to become a storyboard artist and develop
complex, evocative worlds that allow viewers to
escape reality.
Q: How did you become interested in
art?
A: I first got into art when I was in pre-school/
kindergarten in China. I think I liked it mostly
because people told me I was good and I
liked the attention, so I kept drawing to this
day. I also felt a lot of enthusiasm and inspiration when I watched anime, because I was
blown away by cool outfits and worlds the
characters were in. Drawing my own take on
those worlds let me really immerse in them,
and it was really fun too. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d always daydream
in class about them and draw them later.
22

fine arts

Q: What is your favorite subject to draw?
A: My favorite subject to draw is probably just
people; I've always been drawing them. And even
though drawing backgrounds are really painstaking for me, I get a lot of satisfaction from finishing
them.
Q: What inspires you?
A: I find that I'm really inspired by hearing the
life stories of artists that I look up to, or just bits
and pieces about them that I can relate to. For
example, my friend told me some time ago that
one of her motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acquaintances has a daughter who works at Disney. That person turned out
to be Elsa Chang, an artist I follow on almost every
social media platform. These simple things always
blows my mind, and makes me realize that the
artists I admire are closer to me than I think.
Q: What is your favorite color scheme/palette?
A: I favor pastel pallets when doing my own work,
but I also love seeing colorful but still realistically
rendered pieces by others. Ideally, I'd like to be
more like them, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a current work in progress.

Q: What are your favorite tools to
use?
A: Favorite tools would probably just be a
regular old mechanical pencil and paper;
I'm really not that fancy. It's familiar and
comfortable to me, so I get to be pretty
loose and â&#x20AC;&#x153;flowyâ&#x20AC;? with my lines in a way I
can't be with digital art. Digital art is still
a close runner up though. I use mainly
Photoshop and I really like the versatility
it offers me.
Q: Do you have any quirky art habits?
A: Whenever I go outside and see scenery or objects, I analyze the lighting, color
and wonder how I would draw it. Especially for faces; I just see shapes now because I'm thinking about how I can simplify the faces and draw them.

tina su

24

a conversation with jennifer xu
soumya jhaveri

Sophomore Jennifer Xu is on a mission to reclaim the word “artist.” Through her inky sketches, her
vivid paintings, and her dramatic sculptures, Xu is showing the world that art is what you make it,
not a preconceived notion.
Q: What forms of media do you use?
A: Usually I use digital media like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, and also graphite, pen, colored pencils, markers, and charcoal. Mostly just your typical art materials. Over the summer I do a lot of
multimedia stuff, like mixed mediums: lipstick, clay, fire, paint. I also did some stuff with ink and toy car
tires which was really interesting. My favorite is pen, , but I really like mixing stuff together because it makes art so much more
interesting. Also, I really don’t like pastels.
Q: What influences your artwork?
A: A lot of times it’s usually just people
around me, and it pushes me to go out of
my comfort zone. I try to look at the styles
of different artists and mimic them. Andy
Warhol and Marcel Duchamp are some of
my inspirations.
Q: What kind of art do you like?
A: Black and white art; sometimes I like to
use color to highlight things. I like designrelated art. I don’t know how to do Abstract
Impressionism and it’s not popular anymore as a movement, but the whole thing
focused on large, giant strokes and it made
art really free, and I like that.

25

fine arts

Q: What’s your favorite thing you’ve created?
A: It’s either the lipstick art or Brad. Who’s Brad? Brad is a clay bust of a man who is bald and it is up to his
shoulders, and I made a heart for him, and it was supposed to be a cadaver for an art project, we had to
make a bunch of pieces based off a book, and I chose When Breath Becomes Air. Brad is my main piece
from that project. He took about thirty hours in the span of two days.
Q: What’s the typical process you go through when creating something?
A: I write in my sketchbook for ideas, and if I have nothing, I make a mind map, and if I still have nothing,
I lie on my bed and hope for inspiration. Then I browse the Internet, and if I still don’t have anything I
complain to people. Inspiration usually strikes if I’m sad, or if I’m really, really tired. And sometimes when
I see really pretty things.
Q: What do you love most about art?
A: It’s very freeing. Some art communities are really open so you can do anything you want that’s really
crazy. My friend made a comb out of hair just for the irony of it. Most of all, though, art is very calming.
Q: What are the struggles surrounding being an artist?
A: You have a lot of people judging your art; that’s kind of the point of art, but people who do art are really judgmental and people who don’t do art are still really judgmental. A lot of people also ask why I’m
not doing more important things, like science.
Q: What do you think the word “artist” means?
A: I hate that word. It has a weird pressure to it, and a connotation that you have to be super great to
be an artist. When you think of an artist, you just think of Monet and Van Gogh and those people, but I
think an artist is anyone who does art and enjoys it. For me, I’m not trying to change people through art,
it’s just a nice thing to do because I like it.

art by jennifer xu
jennifer xu

26

finding meaning under a stone

kayla brand

From the the moment she turned unwanted paper to art as a child, abstract artist Deborah Brand knew
who she was meant to be. Born in Queens, this crafter spent much of her life fighting for the chance to be
the woman she had dreamed of being since childhood. She flew toward this dream, driven by a determination that would eventually bring her the chance she had waited for. However, as the years of earning money
as a language arts teacher tiptoed by, Brand had almost reached the age of 60 before her hope became a
reality. She presents herself with the same conviction she utilized in her fight to be an artist, illustrating that
it is never too late to try, and always too early to give up, when aiming for what you really love in life.
Q: How did you realize your passion for art?
A: I first realized I was an artist when I was a child,
making toys out of paper and clothing out of scraps.
However, I really understood my art talent when my
eighth grade teacher let those of us who finished our
work early paint to our heart’s content. When we have
success in a particular subject, we usually enjoy what
we are doing. That success should speak to us as “the
way cvx/to go”. Sadly, my parents discouraged my art
making because they thought I wouldn’t be able to
earn a living as an artist. Instead, I ultimately became a
first grade teacher. But I never stopped making things.
Q: How did you get your Master of Fine Arts?
A: After teaching in the public schools for 14 years,
I took a sabbatical leave (for the purpose of study).
All of my classes were in the art department. That did
it for me! I learned that art was my real calling, and
was as happy as a songbird. Years later, when I retired
from teaching, I applied for admission to the art department of Queens College in order to get a Master
of Fine Arts. Happy was the day the acceptance letter
came in the mail. Two years later, at the ripe age of
fifty nine I completed my degree. It is never too late to
get where you want to be.
Q: What did it take for you to achieve your
dream of becoming an artist?
A: A lot of hard work goes into the making of art.
Sometimes things are thrown out, or put aside for
another time. The creative process can be a struggle, and there are dry spells. It takes time to understand your own art language what you want to
achieve. Being an artist takes a lot of energy and a
lot of thought. Some people give up, but working out
problems can be very gratifying. When the artistic
process flows, it is a joy. People who make things are
the luckiest of all!
27

fine arts

Q: Tell me about your current exhibit.
A: This was a group show and we were all instructed to do
pieces that were 36” in height with variations on the widths.
So I made the work, “Out On A Limb” specifically for the exhibit.
Q: You have been creating of art all your life. How did
your art career change after you got your MFA?
A: Getting the MFA validated my talent as an artist. (Not everyone needs the degree to call themselves “artist”.) But
having that degree gave me more confidence. Studying for
a degree opens one up to different experiences, techniques
and ideas. For instance, I never thought about printmaking
before taking a class in it. And a class in welding told me that
it definitely was not for me. My use of exuberant color became part of my art language. And after the two year degree,
I was comfortable with taking chances.

Q: What is your favorite part of being
an artist? Why?
A: When I’m working three dimensionally,
I love to add color at the end of the process.

Q: What is your style?
A: I owe the use of baroque and curvilinear forms to the
home in which I lived. My mother collected furniture from
the Victorian period, and I loved the heavily carved frames,
legs and and arms of chests and sofas. I thought everyone
lived with such items. Now when I collect debris to add to my
assemblages or prints, I favor curved or bent items

Q: What does your art mean to you?
A: It has been a lifesaver. When I’m working on art, the bad things in the news or
my life disappear.
Q: What do you admire in other artists?
A: That varies with the artist. In general, I
will say that I admire their staying power.
Some artists don’t gain public recognition
until well into their careers.
Q: Is there anything else you would
like to add, about yourself, or something else?
A: I realize that I am very lucky to be able
to create. I hope readers will keep this in
mind as they go through life. It doesn’t
matter what it is that you make: whether you work with words, fabric or paint
brushes. Get out there and be a maker!

deborah brand

28

FINE ARTS

Angelina Wang & Yi Ge explore the
world of mensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fashion through an urban lens. Featuring models from fashion week alongside candid street style,
the juxtaposition of high end fashion
and casual daywear captures a broad
range of trends. Keeping a colder
neutral color scheme, the models encapsulate the tempestuous weather in
style. From grey knits to bold bombers, staying warm this season is simple. Layering parkas on top of neutral
bases are the way to go. As for shoes,
classic sneakers never go out of style
and can be paired with any outfit. To
class up any look, simply swap them
out with oxfords.

fall/winter fashion
angelina wang
serina nguyen

fall/winter fashion

30

31

fine arts

fall/winter fashion

32

hands

patille papas & anna tomz

Hands are the building blocks of life. They tell stories, show lifetimes, and paint pictures of what you
once were. Portraits can be shown through hands.
Stories can be shown through the crevices, the
wrinkles, and the callouses, by the way your nails
look, and its texture all these details tell someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
story. Hands can even show your social status and
your occupation based on how they look. Hands
can be used for everything, or rarely used at all.

If hands are rough or have callouses, it could show that they are
used regularly therefore have importance in their life. The hands in
these photos are taken from a variety of people, including adults and
children.

33

fine arts

photography by
patille papas & anna tomz

The contrast in these photos were important
because there are so many unique people
in this world, and they all have a story to tell
through their hands. The items included in the
photos show what type of lifestyle the subjects have. If hands are soft and the nails are
painted, it may show that the subject has lots
of time or cares about how they are presented
to people.

Generally, people tell you to look
past the surface when you meet
someone new, to not judge based
on looks. However, hands are much
more than they seem, and if you
look at the surface, you can find out
whatever you need to know.

hands

34

louise nevelson
isabella hopkins
Our footsteps echo loudly as we enter the Louise
Nevelson exhibition. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a minimalist space with
ivory walls and high ceilings. The room is brightly
lit and each wall has a sculpture or collage mounted against it. Each sculpture is intricately detailed
and though many look similar, none are exactly
the same. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a very peaceful and tranquil place
to spend a Sunday afternoon.
This weekend, I visited the Pace Palo Alto Art Gallery. The current exhibition is of works by sculptor
Louise Nevelson and runs from Sep. 29th to Dec.
11th. Nevelson is known for her sculptural environments and her collages, both of which were
featured in the gallery. Nevelson used random,
raw materials, and assembled them into a sculpture, then paintingthem all one color, most commonly black or white. Her works are inspired by
light and shadows and are very eye catching. I enjoyed examining each art piece and trying to decipher which materials she used in each sculpture.

35

fine arts

The exhibit is completely free, which
is definitely a plus. The location is
also convenient because it’s located
in the heart of downtown Palo Alto
which makes it easily accessible. The
one staff member was very friendly
and polite. However, one negative
aspect of the exhibit was that there
were no plaques giving the names or
year of creation or any background
about each piece. It was odd not
having that information about each
sculpture and this was the first exhibit I’ve ever been to that didn’t have
placards.
Overall, I enjoyed this exhibit, and I’d
highly recommend going if you find
yourself in downtown Palo Alto. The
sculptures and collages are unlike
anything I’ve seen before, and I doubt
I’ll see anything quite like them again.

louise nevelson

36

elementary school art
fabiana teofan & caroline elarde

A teacher stands at the front of a classroom, leading a group of first graders
through an art project. Students cut out
and paste different colored pieces of paper together to create identical turkeys
for Thanksgiving. At the end, the result is
a new decoration to hang on the fridge.
In recent years throughout Palo Alto, projects like these, though common and familiar, has evolved into something greater
than creating decorations. The lessons
have been carefully tailored to introduce
artistic concepts through projects that allow students to have more creative freedom. These projects are not only more
enjoyable, but also allow kids to begin to
discover themselves as artists.
In elementary school classrooms throughout PAUSD,
kids are making more than
just coloring sheets and
construction paper figures.
Through the meticulously
constructed lessons, the children expand their knowledge
of media they may already be
familiar with and learn how to
use a plethora of new forms
of art. In addition to traditional painting and drawing,
the students learn how to create everything from 3D sculptures to assemblage compositions to digital art pieces.

photography by sharon ferguson
37

fine arts

Sharon Ferguson, PAUSD’s Art Coordinator, believes that “art should be the
place where success should happen for students that may not normally have
success.” This gives kids a chance to shine in ways other than academically or
athletically. Beyond this, teachers use these art projects to teach lessons in
other subjects such as science and history. This gives kids a chance to, as Ferguson says, “use the arts as a way of communicating what you know.” These
projects can also be a good way to allow students to give back to their community. One project that fourth and fifth graders participate in involves the Palo
Alto Humane Society. The kids are given a picture of a rescue dog that lives
in a shelter and use oil pastels to draw the dog. The drawings are displayed
in a show called “Adoptables” and encourage people to adopt the dogs.
As technology advances, so do the ways in which art can be created. Ferguson believes it is important to begin to incorporate technology into elementary school art lessons in order to give students exposure to new methods of creating art, such as mixed media and digital
art. Paly photography teacher Margo Wixsom recounts her elementary school art experience as limited and constricted to coloring pages.
As different forms of media become popular, it’s important to give kids a basic understanding of the various types of art before it is an option in school.
This way, they are able to take advantage of those opportunities. However,
Ferguson emphasizes that these lessons are implemented “not to take the
place of any other media, but to add to it.” To introduce digital art, students
use the iPad app Paper 53 to draw and design a bird. In addition, students
use the iPads to experiment with photography as well. The large screens allow for the kids to see their photos up close and experiment with different
ways of taking photos. Overall, technological advancement is affecting the
way art is taught in elementary school, allowing kids to succeed in other ways.

elementary art

38

[how to]

photography by angelina wang

back to film

the appeals of film photography in a digital age
lucy volino & sabrina martin
Why film? In an age of digital technology and widespread
media, smartphones with professional grade cameras
are ubiquitous in many parts of the world. As a result, the
use of film cameras is much less common than it used
to be. However, there are several reasons why photographers are still choosing film, and for those interested,
getting started is quite easy.
One of the reasons why people find film photography so
valuable is because of its ability to capture a single moment in a way that digital photography cannot. A standard roll of film has between 24 and 36 exposures. This
leads to much more thought going into a single shot,
and less of a tendency towards holding the shutter button. Digital photography breeds this endless clicking, as
memory cards and phones can hold thousands of high
quality pictures. This is a flaw not present in film.
Being able to shoot 10 frames per second may be helpful
for a portrait photography session to compare framing
and depth of focus. Though for candid moments and everyday life, film can be much more special to have later
on in life. Precious memories and perfectly captured moments are not drowned in the sea of slight variations of
the same picture that go with having unlimited storage.
Additionally, the process behind
film development gets lost with
digital photography. People who
grew up in a time where film photography was both prevalent and
universal still reminisce about its
joys. There is a certain excitement
to picking up or developing printed
negatives after not having seen
them since the moment they were
captured.
With compelling reasons for wanting to try film photography, getting
started may seem like the hardest
part of the process. However, getting a film camera requires much
less commitment than digital photography does.

41

how to

Used and well-functioning film cameras are available for sale at a fraction of their original price online, and can sell for between 20 and 100 dollars,
while digital cameras can cost hundreds of dollars.
Plus, the Bay Area is host to a myriad of resources
available to photographers.
Rayko Photo Center in San Francisco is a great resource for beginning film classes, workshops, and
has the materials needed to self-develop film negatives. They also offer week-long day camps for teens
in both film and digital photography, no experience
required.
For someone looking to start shooting film outside
of a class, Craigslist and eBay are both great places
to find used, inexpensive and functional film cameras. However, be conscious that these places are
not always 100 percent reliable. Always be aware
and confirm what you are purchasing and who you
are purchasing from before buying. Starting with
35mm film is easiest, as it is common, developed
without much fuss, inexpensive. Some good 35mm
SLR (single lens reflex) cameras include the Nikon
FG, Canon Av-1, and Pentax K1000 models.

back to film

42

urban portraiture
sophia muys
An urban setting can change the mood of a portrait instantly, because the background tells as interesting
a story as the subject. A city street, constantly changing to fit the spirit of those who inhabit it, holds years
of history in each layer of paint on the storefronts, every forgotten poster plastered on a wall, and each
crack in the pavement. Being able to capture this story along with your subjectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is easy; all it takes is a bit
of exploration. Here are some suggestions that are sure to produce some amazing photos.

frame your subject with
surrounding walls
Framing your subject with
the urban background
adds interest to the composition. In this photo, the
layered paint on the wall
creates lines that frame
the subject. Look for backgrounds with a lot of texture, color, or line.

integrate your subject
into the environment
Placing the subject in
the setting rather than
just photographing them
standing in front of it is
integral to a successful
photo. It creates a more
authentic spirit to your
photo, as well as adds
compositionally to the
quality.

43

how to

embrace color
Urban settings are often seen as strictly set in the muted color palette. The use of
color adds a level of vibrancy to your photo that helps to convey the spirit of the
place, and generally a more interesting photo.

donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to explore
You arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always going to find an urban setting that speaks to you at first glance;
sometimes it takes a bit of searching to find a place you love. Just like in nature, you
have to navigate the urban landscape to get to a cool destination. Look in places
that you would never look!

urban portraiture

44

feline photography
aidan maese-czeropski
Photographing a cat can often be a surprisingly daunting task — energetic felines
are more likely to chase bugs on the ground than pose for a picture. Nevertheless,
if you want to capture the perfect shot of your feline, follow these five steps.

1.

Find a simple location to shoot. Chances are you want your cat to be the
focus of the photo, so including a bright or busy background will distract
your viewer and deteriorate the image quality overall. A simple setting, such as
a lawn, wall or carpet, will focus more of the attention on your furry friend. Consider contrasting the cat’s fur color with the background color to really grab your
viewer’s attention.

2.

Adjust the lighting. Your lighting will affect the overall mood of the photo,
so carefully consider whether you want natural or unnatural light. Sunlight
will give off a more “natural” vibe, but avoid taking photos at midday as your photo
can become overly-bright. Indoor lights can appear harsh to the eye but are easily
adjustable. The lighting may entirely depend on the location, so keep this in mind
when choosing an area to shoot.

3.

Get your cat ready for the photoshoot. This may be the hardest part if
your cat is energetic, so avoid exciting your cat. Consider what you want
your cat to do in the photo (she could be sleeping, playing or contemplating life)
and prepare accordingly by bringing toys, catnip or a box to sit in. If you want your
cat to gaze in a certain direction, hang toys or snap your fingers in that area. The
most important factor here is patience.

4.

The angle. You may need to lie on your stomach or place your head level
to your cat to capture the best shot, as a lower point of view will help por
tray your cat as a predator. Also try experimenting with many different angles to
capture many unique perspectives. You really can’t go wrong with any angle, so
just keep experimenting with new views.

5.

Take the picture. You may need upwards of 20-40 shots to get the perfect
image, especially if your cat is moving. Shutter speed can range from 1/50s
to more than 1/500s depending on your cat’s motion. Furthermore, you can improve your photo quality by using a conversion lens or telephoto lens to better
capture movements. The most important part of this step is to have fun — Taking
a picture of your cat may be difficult, but the end result will always be adorable.

45

how to

photography by amy luo, yi ge
cat photography

46

resin craft
yue shi

Resin crafts, the unique type of craft
made from the organic substance resin,
are both beautiful and surprisingly easy
to make at home.